Didihat

Didihat - The heart of Kumaon

Didihat is rich in flora and fauna offering picturesque views of verdant valley surrounded by attractive ridges. It is situated on the pilgrimage route to Kailash Mansarovar. Didihat also offers panoramic view of several snow clad Himalayan peaks including Panchachuli peaks.

The word Didihat is inspired from a Kumauni word "Dand" which means a small hillock. The valley below Didihat is known as ‘Haat Valley’ which is very fertile. Taking its seat in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, the glaring town of Didihat is coiffed at an elevation of 1725 metres above sea level.

Why Visit Didihat?

Having a historical background, the town of Didihat narrates the old tales when the region was under the rule of Raika Malla kings of Sirakot. One can admire the architecture of the ancient Sirakot Malaynath Mandir dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is adorned at Didihat and was built by the Reika kings.

The remnants of the ancient forts can also be seen here. Didihat also showcases the diverse flora-fauna which is ideal for having peaceful nature walks and village walks.

The famous tourist attractions include the scenic hill spot called Berinag located about 53 km from Didihat. The Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary situated in the Didhat tehsil can also be visited from here. On clear days, one can savour the awe-inspiring views of the snow-capped Panchachuli and Trishul peaks.

Activities in Didihat

Hiking: This wonderful little town brimming with greenery, beautiful landscapes and a peaceful charm encourages one to explore the mesmerizing vicinity around Didihat. The town offers some of the breathtaking Himalayan views of Panchchuli and Trishul peaks.

Camping: Due to inadequate accommodations in Didihat, camping is another inexpensive way to spend the night under the shimmering stars. Didihat offers various mesmerizing locations where a group of friends can erect a tent and start a bonfire.

Village Tourism: Didihat is a quaint little hillock located in a very remote part of Kumaon Himalayas. Being here you can experience the rustic lifestyle, customs and culture of the people in this remote location and relax unhindered by noisy crowds.

Didihat Travel Tips

Summer season is a great time to visit Didihat as the weather is pleasant. The winter is very cold so heavy woolen clothes should be worn.

Didihat is a small hamlet with limited facilities. Finding an ATM or a petrol pump can be difficult here. Make sure you have taken care of these things before proceeding to Didihat.

Being an emerging tourist destination, Didihat doesn’t have many places to stay, however, that will change in future as more guesthouses are expected to mushroom at Didihat. There are few budget guesthouses at Didihat that have limited facilities and amenities. It is difficult to find a luxury accommodation at Didihat as the region is still some years away from being a popular tourist destination. A government-owned KMVN guesthouse is also situated in Didihat.

Finding a decent restaurant in Didihat that serves variety of cuisines is next to impossible. Instead, one could find few local restaurants and food stalls that serve array of North Indian dishes along with popular Chinese cuisines like Noodles and Manchurian etc.

Didihat was once ruled by the Raika and Malla kings of Sirakot. During the time of King Hari Malla, the region was governed by the Doti Kingdom of Nepal. Around 1581 A.D., the Raikas of Doti were defeated by King Rudra Chandra of Chand dynasty. Even today, one can find the remnants of ancient forts and temples narrating the old tales. The city is also famous for the ancient Shirakot Temple of Lord Malay Nath, built by the Raika kings.